The Tesla Model Y “Juniper” has officially hit the scene, and it’s bringing a mix of the expected and some real surprises that have caught the electric vehicle community off guard.
Since the introduction of the Model S Plaid in 2021, it was pretty clear that Tesla was heading towards ditching the stalks altogether.
This shift continued with the refreshed Model X and the new Model 3 sedan.
Naturally, the buzz was that the updated Model Y would follow suit.
But much to our surprise, the new Model Y configurator revealed that this crossover will still sport a physical stalk.
What’s New with the Stalk
According to Tesla, they’ve put some thought into the new stalk, describing it as
“a precision-engineered indicator stalk, refined based on valuable customer feedback.”
They’ve even added customizable switches on the steering wheel, allowing drivers to quickly access their favorite functions.
Definitely, a nice touch for those frequently used controls!
The Reaction
The community has had some pretty mixed feelings about this decision.
Some folks are kind of bummed that Tesla didn’t embrace the stalkless approach, especially for a model as popular as the Model Y.
It’s a car that a lot of people look to when making the shift to electric, so it seems like a missed opportunity.
But Then Some Are Glad
But then some are pretty glad the stalk is still part of the car.
For drivers who are just stepping into the EV scene, having those traditional controls might help them feel more at ease.
It’s really about striking a good balance between trying new things and making sure that newcomers don’t feel lost when they get behind the wheel.